Some side effects of rilpivirine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck, or around the chest and stomach area

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to rilpivirine: oral tablet

General

Most side effects occurred in the first 48 weeks of therapy. The most common side effects (at least moderate severity) were depression, headache, insomnia, increased transaminases, and rash. This drug was discontinued due to side effects in 2% of patients.[Ref]

Renal

Grade 1, 2, and 3 increases in creatinine have been reported in 6%, 1%, and less than 1% of patients, respectively.

During phase 3 trials, an increase in serum creatinine was seen over 96 weeks of therapy. Most of this increase occurred within the first 4 weeks of therapy, with a mean change of 0.1 mg/dL (range: -0.3 to 0.6 mg/dL) observed after 96 weeks of therapy. In subjects with mild or moderate baseline renal dysfunction, the serum creatinine increase observed was similar to that seen in subjects with normal renal function. These changes were not considered clinically relevant and no subject discontinued therapy due to increases in serum creatinine.[Ref]

Endocrine

In the pooled phase 3 trials, at week 96, there was an overall mean change from baseline in basal cortisol of -19.1 nmol/L (-0.69 mcg/dL) in the rilpivirine group, and of -0.6 nmol/L (-0.02 mcg/dL) in the efavirenz group. At week 96, the mean change from baseline in ACTH-stimulated cortisol levels was lower in the rilpivirine group (+18.4 nmol/L) than in the efavirenz group (+54.1 nmol/L). Mean values for both basal and ACTH-stimulated cortisol values at week 96 were within the normal range.

In the rilpivirine group, 43 of 588 patients with normal 250 mcg ACTH stimulation test at baseline developed abnormal 250 mcg ACTH stimulation test (peak cortisol level less than 18.1 mcg/dL) during the trial versus 18 of 561 patients in the efavirenz group. Abnormal 250 mcg ACTH stimulation test at week 96 was seen in 14 of the 43 rilpivirine patients and 9 of the 18 efavirenz patients. Clinical significance of abnormal 250 mcg ACTH stimulation tests (or the higher rate in the rilpivirine group) has not been established.

Overall, there were no serious side effects, deaths, or treatment discontinuations that could clearly be attributed to adrenal insufficiency.[Ref]

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